Interior Designer School
How to Select the Best One Near Uniondale New York

So it’s time to begin the task of picking an interior design school near Uniondale NY now that you have made a career decision to become an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's essential that you obtain the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's essential you carry out the appropriate research in order to analyze and compare each school that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. But exactly where do you start? Many potential students will begin their research by looking for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are important variables when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and class choices are available.

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Interior Designer Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training needed to launch your new career in Uniondale NY. Your decision will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in some states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of training required to enter the field. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at many New York community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialized majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Degree Programs

For anyone wishing' to study in the comfort of their Uniondale NY homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Studying online can be a great solution for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For a number of students online schools may be the only alternative if no interior design programs are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated also. Just be sure that the school you enroll in is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your Uniondale NY residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices as well. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you assess and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design school and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Uniondale NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Uniondale NY school you choose should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a large network of Uniondale NY business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Uniondale NY colleges you are looking at and ask what type of aid they offer. Many of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Uniondale NY schools you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Uniondale home, go to the school and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior designer college you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Uniondale NY, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Find Out More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Uniondale

Choose the Best Uniondale Interior Design School

Selecting the ideal interior designer school is an important first step toward launching your career in this artistic and gratifying profession. Finding a school where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting task no matter what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are many factors to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the business. It is still essential that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Uniondale New York.

 

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